Hetman of the Zaporizhian Host Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Hetman of Cossack Hetmanate
State flag
Most renowned and first official hetman of the Zaporizhian Host, Bohdan Khmelnytsky
Style	His Serene Highness (Його Ясновельможність)
Residence	Chyhyryn (originally) Hetman Residence, Baturyn
Appointer	General Military Council
Formation	26 January 1648
First holder	Bohdan Khmelnytsky
Final holder	Kirill Razumovski
Abolished	17 November 1764

The Hetman of the Zaporizhian Host was like the president or leader of a special Cossack country called the Cossack Hetmanate. The word "Hetman" (pronounced HET-man) comes from a German word meaning "captain" or "commander." This important job was ended by the Russian government in 1764.

A Quick Look at Hetman History
Important Hetmans You Should Know About
Images for kids
See also

A Quick Look at Hetman History

The role of Hetman was created by Bohdan Khmelnytsky in the mid-1600s. He was the first official Hetman of the Zaporizhian Host, a group of brave Cossack warriors. During this time, the Hetman was chosen through elections. Most of these elections happened in a special meeting called the Senior Council, held in Chyhyryn. Chyhyryn was the capital city of the Hetmanate until 1669.

Changes and Challenges for the Hetmanate

After a special agreement in 1654 called the Pereiaslav Agreement, some Cossack leaders decided to support the Tsardom of Russia. This led to some big changes. In 1663, a new meeting, sometimes called the Black Council of 1663, took place in Nizhyn. Here, Ivan Briukhovetsky was chosen as a different Hetman. This meant there were two Hetmans at once!

After Petro Doroshenko was defeated in 1669, the Hetman title was mainly used by leaders who supported Russia. These Hetmans lived in Baturyn.

The Great Northern War and Its Impact

During a big war called the Great Northern War, one of the Hetmans, Ivan Mazepa, decided to fight against Russian rule in 1708. This decision had very serious consequences for the Cossack Hetmanate and the Zaporozhian Host. The main government moved to Hlukhiv. Mazepa was even publicly shamed and declared an enemy by the Russian Orthodox Church.

The End of the Hetman Role

Finally, on November 17, 1764, the Russian government officially ended the position of Hetman. This happened as Russia was expanding its territory towards the Black Sea. The Hetmanate, as a separate Cossack country, no longer existed.

Important Hetmans You Should Know About

Here are some of the most famous Hetmans who led the Cossack Hetmanate:

Bohdan Khmelnytsky (1648-1657): He was the first and most famous Hetman. He started the Cossack Hetmanate and led a big uprising against Polish rule. He also made the Pereiaslav Agreement with Russia.
Ivan Mazepa (1687-1708): He was a very powerful Hetman who tried to make the Hetmanate more independent from Russia. He joined forces with Sweden during the Great Northern War, but his plan didn't work out.
Kyrylo Rozumovsky (1750-1764): He was the last official Hetman. He tried to bring back some of the Hetmanate's old rights, but eventually, he had to resign, and the position was abolished by Russia.